Last week was my frist birthday without my beloved Golden Doodle, Wellington, and all I could think of is wanting to write this review for Scott - it is long overdue, so here it is now.

A few months ago, Wellington’s heart suddenly stopped, this was so unexpected and I didn’t get to say goodbye to my boy. I am no stranger to loss or overcoming traumatic life’s challenges: I have lost my best friend to cancer, all my grandparents, and I spoke at TEDx about being a survivor of sexual assault: yet, the sudden unforeseen stopping of Wellington’s heart during one of his cancer treatments, was the most traumatic aloneness & guttural sadness I’ve ever experienced. It’s like I unexpectedly lost my child. Luckily he was not in pain.

It took me months to even find the strength to make the announcement on Wellington’s social media channels as I was looking for clarity and purpose before being able to share.

In my moment of deepest despair, I was lucky to find Scott. He truly was the only silverlining in this tragic experience. I found him thanks to a few bad yelp reviews that were steering me away from other businesses, and guided me directly to his yelp page. From the very first phone call, Scott was simply perfect. I had left a voice mail about a half hour prior with several questions spoken through a tear-broken voice. When he called back, he answered all those questions thoroughly without me having to repeat a single one. That alone was impressive! He explained everything with clarity, he gave me options and he did so in the most caring and compassionate voice I had ever heard. Throughout the call he was thorough, understanding, accommodating, professional, caring and patient. I felt I could completely trust him with my boy. Before we hung up he recommended I call the hospital in order have his name added to Wellington’s file so that he’d have no trouble picking him up.

When Scott called the hospital to let them know about Wellington’s pick up, for some odd reason they told him Wellington wasn’t there and that he should call another hospital; they gave him a number. Scott called that number and this second hospital also told him Wellington wasn’t there. At that point he called me and again, with a very kind and compassionate voice, he let me know what had just happened. I was filled with anxiety and confusion upon hearing the news. Scott remained calm the entire time he was on the phone with me and together we called the first hospital, talked to the lady in charge who apologized to us both for the miscommunication. Wellington was in fact there, and Scott could go get him. He went and kept me up-to-date until Wellington was in his safe hands. I was leaving the country the next day to go be with my family and I did not know when I’d be returning. He reassured me not to worry, that he’d ensure Wellington’s aftercare would be done in all dignity during my absence. That he’d be in his care as long as needed until my return, and he assured me that he’d personally return him to me as soon as I called him. I felt relieved and reassured that my boy was in good hands. As he could hear I was extremely grief-stricken from the emotional whiplash, Scott offered the idea that I write a goodbye letter to Wellington, that I could mail it to Scott’s office, and that he’d cremate him with it. I thanked him for the idea and asked if he would take it a step further, and would he please read it to Wellington before cremating him with it. Scott said yes, absolutely. He never rushed me and always made sure I felt heard and taken care of - like I was his ONLY client. He sure went above and beyond every time we were in communication by phone and text. That letter exercise was such a loving and helpful recommendation. I would strongly recommend any of you do that before your beloved companion is cremated.

When I returned from my trip, I wasn’t calling Scott because I felt too weak to see my boy returned in an urn and I didn’t know what to expect. When I finally called him and I told him that, he was so reassuring and caring. I had him on speaker phone with a dear friend and by the time our call ended, she said “WOW! Who IS this man?!” We both felt so comforted. Scott was also very accommodating to be at my home on a Sunday morning.

When Scott returned Wellington’s ashes, it was like an earth-angel brought him back home. Truly!

It not only was a beautiful, caring and elegant presentation, but also he put so much soul in it! A beloved dear friend was with me that Sunday and he happened to capture the moment Scott arrived. As I was so emotional I did not realize that my friend was filming any of this. I debated whether to share it here with strangers on yelp as it is a very private personal moment…That said, as a testament to Scott, and as a way to support other pet-parents, I am sharing it on this page so that you can see for yourself what an earth-angel he truly is - and why you want your beloved companion in his hands.

2 notes for those of you reading this who watched the video:

One of the lessons I have learned from the saddest day of my life, and from reading the scary yelp comments that are other cremation businesses (such as “my dog ashes looked more like sand, was it even my dog?” or “do not enter through the side door or you’ll see limbs protruding and dead dogs stacked on top of others” or “my dog’s ashes were returned in an empty can of paint”…those are scary real comments and the last thing you want during such distress is to have to make such a difficult decision…): I always tell my friends to ensure to choose the cremation place and make the arrangements well *before* their beloved companion is even sick.

At about minute 1:30 you hear me say “You’ve been so amazing, I want everybody to have access to the work you do, maybe I could become a pet mortician and I could help others because you’ve helped so much.” Scott inspired me so much so that, while I did not shift carrier to become a pet mortician, this week I completed my certification as a pet bereavement counselor by the AAVSB American Association of Veterinary State Board. I did so that I may help other people who are going through this excruciating pain. Thank you Scott for inspiring me with who you are. You make a huge difference in the world, even more than you know!

I am beyond grateful to Scott for taking care of my big boy in the most precious, dignified, caring, compassionate and professional way. Scott truly was the only silverlining in this most tragic experience.

Though I am I miss my furbaby with my soul, and heartbroken beyond words, I am trusting the unfolding.. Welly was my soul…his legacy lives on through #MissionWellington and his www.TreatsForPups.com